Chapter 25: Second Stage Begun
As the echoes of the Primal Hunt faded, Dean Thorne once again stood forward, capturing the attention of every student at No.3 High School. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and he wasted no time as he addressed the eager crowd.
"Congratulations, students of No.3 High School! You've all shown incredible skill and determination during the Primal Hunt. But the competition is far from over. Next, we're kicking off the Arena Challenge Gauntlet!"
The students leaned in, excitement palpable in the air. Dean's voice became more serious as he continued.
"We have our top 10 contenders: two outstanding individuals and the leaders of eight formidable groups. These fighters have proven their worth, but now they face their toughest challenge yet. In this round, each of the top 10 must participate in five battles."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle among the students.
"However, listen closely: to advance to the final stage, each top fighter only needs to win three out of those five battles. If you lose more than two, your journey ends here. It's a high-stakes game, and only the strongest will move forward."
Dean Thorne's expression turned resolute as he emphasized the rules.
"Each fighter will face challengers from the eight parties, and after every battle, they'll have ten minutes to rest and regroup before their next fight. Remember, you can only challenge a top fighter once, so make your choice wisely."
His gaze swept over the crowd, inspiring confidence.
"Fight with honor, with skill, and represent No.3 High School with pride! This is your moment to shine. Now, let the Arena Challenge Gauntlet begin!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, and the challengers stepped forward, their eyes focused on the top 10. The arenas were ready, and the battles were about to commence, with each participant eager to prove themselves.
Standing in the huge arena under the scrutinizing eyes of the students he was going to fight, several drones appeared, creating 10 smaller platforms where the top 10 students would defend their spot to advance to the finals.
One of the instructors then said, "The Top 10 students go to your designated platforms according to points ranking."
Vincent ignored their gazes and walked to his stage.
As soon as he stood on his platform, he caught the figure of Elric Baelius in the corner of his eyes, standing next to him on his own platform.
Their gazes met each other.
Elric then gave him a nod which somewhat surprised him. Therefore, he confusedly nodded back before looking at the other top students standing on their designated platforms.
Next to Elric was Dmitri Volkov. He had a clean haircut, tanned skin, and toned muscles like a bodybuilder. He had a serious and disciplined expression on his face, like a real soldier.
Standing on another platform next to Dmitri was a fair-skinned lady, the person he was most curious about: Ana Blackwings. She had a beautiful appearance; however, her expression was cold.
She had straight, silky black hair with straight-cut bangs hiding her forehead, long eyelashes, thin red lips, and a perfect pointed nose.
Standing on another platform next to Ana was brown-haired Sara Chen. Contrary to the commonly known frail appearance of a healer, she had well-toned skin, wielding a heavy metal club.
She looked like a tomboy, a gangster from Vincent's perspective.
While he was checking out the Top 10 students, they were also checking him out.
As these students observed each other, a loud feminine voice resounded, filling the air.
"Hello, helloooo! Ladies and Gentlemen of No.3 High School. It's me, Vianne Dior, your host for this stage! I hope you enjoy this event with me!"
Hearing this, Vincent turned to look at the source of the voice and found near the audience area, on an elevated stage, a pretty lady with pink hair and a sexy outfit.
This person was also one of the school belles of No.3 High School, like Claudia.
"This Vincent really has youthful memories," he thought to himself as he realized he actually knew a lot about these school belles.
"Now that our top 10 students are on their designated platforms, challengers may now proceed to choose who you want to fight!"
With Vianne's cue, several eyes immediately landed on him, which made him smile wryly.
"These kids…"
Just as the second cue had announced, a short-haired male student immediately jumped onto his platform.
The student landed heavily with a 'bam' on the platform.
"Vincent Magnus, right?" The student stretched his neck and arms in a haughty but relaxed movement.
"I don't know how you managed to accumulate those primal points, but I don't believe you earned them by your own strength! I'll be your opponent. You don't deserve that spot!"
"I, Cley Dioti, challenge Vincent Magnus! Do you dare to accept it? Or maybe you're afraid. I'll give you a chance to concede."
As Cley announced his challenge, the crowd erupted, followed by Vianne's resounding voice.
"Here we go! The dark horse no one expected to be in the Top 10 has received his first challenge!"
While the students who wanted to challenge Vincent could only curse Cley who shamelessly beat them to it.
"Damn it! That idiotic Cley had been eyeing Vincent Magnus this whole time!" one of them couldn't help but exclaim.
While on the other hand, Vincent was silent for a moment as he stared at the smug face of Cley.
He then responded, "What's there to be afraid of?"
"Well, if you're asking for death, I won't stop you!"
Vincent watched as Cley took a stance, stretching his arms as three small energies made of liquid appeared before his hand, quickly forming a bullet-like appearance.
"Water Bullet!"
Shooting straight at Vincent like a triggered gun!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Clang!
A metal clashing sound filled the air as the water bullets collided with his [Duskedge Blade].
Vianne: The bullet has been shot! The battle has begun!
Seeing that his attack did not work, Cley did not lose his confidence as he channeled his Origin Power, summoning more water bullets.
Bam! Bam!
Despite the speed of the water bullets and force they brought, Vincent simply defended himself by holding his blade in the trajectory of the water bullets.
Vianne: Once again! Cley's bombarding attacks are useless! The trajectory is so predictable! Cley has to do something for his attacks to work, or he will just exhaust himself.
As predicted, Cley began to run in a circle, moving around Vincent who was motionless while shooting water bullets!
However, Vincent was able to block it with ease.
But then, a ball of liquid flew before him as he heard Cley's exclamation, "Explode!"
Immediately, a loud resounding boom filled the arena as a white cloud of dust covered Vincent.
Vianne: Oh, it seems like a direct hit!
But soon, when the wind finally swept the cloud of dust away, Cley couldn't believe his eyes.
"How are you unscathed?!"
Vianne: Woah! What a surprise. The dark horse is not even slightly injured!
Vincent simply replied, "You're underestimating me too much if you think those attacks will work on me."
Cley was instantly enraged when he heard the mocking Vincent. With a furious expression, "I'm preparing for the final round, but I'll let you experience this secret weapon of mine!"
With a wave of his hand, a sapphire futuristic handgun appeared in his hand.
"You probably haven't seen an armament in your life, right? Behold my Sapphire Pulse MK-IV!"
"Water Blast!"
Vincent could not bother to argue with him, and even if he told him the quality of his [Duskedge Blade], he probably wouldn't believe him at all.
A blast of pure water energy was immediately unleashed, blasting toward Vincent.
This time, Vincent did not choose to block. He took a stance, and when it was about to hit him, he slashed the blasted water energy, cutting it in half.
Boom! Boom!
The cut water blast landed on both his sides, leaving a deep fracture on the ground.
"Hoh, that's quite strong at least…" Vincent simply said.
However, to Cley, it was a deafening mocking response.
As a Tier 1 - 4 stars, Cley believed he could trample on Vincent, believing Vincent's being ranked 1 in the primal hunt was a fluke.
Still in a state of disbelief, Cley pointed his armament gun at Vincent. However, before he could even touch the trigger of his gun, Vincent's figure suddenly vanished and instantly disappeared before him.
With a deliberate action, Vincent slightly moved the thickness of his blade to hit Cley's face.
Bam!
"Argh!"
Cley cried in pain as he rolled on the ground, a few of his teeth falling onto the ground, shocking him.